experiences it.13.IN ISLAM, WHAT MAKES AN INDIVIDUAL ELIGIBLE FOR SALVATION?The Islamic concept of salvation is based on tazkiya, or purification of soul. In other words, salvation in Islam is dependent on

of malice.14.THE QURAN SAYS, ‘GOD GUIDES WHOEVER HE WANTS, AND MISGUIDES WHOEVER HE WANTS.’ (35:8). WHAT MAKES GOD WANT TO GUIDE OR MISGUIDE SOMEONE?This is a matter of expression in language. It simply

Practice What You PreachMany political leaders of our country routinely sing paeans to the country’s Constitution, but when it comes to the question of what they practice, they play a completely different

glories and beauties of Islam in their speeches and writings, but in their personal lives they are guided by their personal interests and communal prejudices, not by true Islamic teachings. Muslims will

will talk at great length about belief in the oneness of God. They will stress that in Islam, worship is due only to the one God and to no one else. But, in actual practice, the community is immersed in the

are only but a few references to show what great importance Islam attaches to peace. In fact, Islam cannot afford not to be in a state of peace because all that Islam aims at—spiritual progress, intellectual

and above all da’wah—can be achieved only in an atmosphere of peace and harmony. According to Islam, peace is not simply an absence of war. Peace opens doors to all kinds of opportunities which are

to gentleness (rifq) what he does not grant to violence (unf ). (Sunan Abu Dawud 4/255) Some people bracket justice with peace, but Islam does not subscribe to this notion. Islam believes in peace for

a difficult task. But its reward too is great. Every right act is treated as an act of worship in Islam; it is therefore an act of superior worship when, in spite of controversies one keeps one’s heart

adheres strictly to the path of justice. The emergence of difference is not in itself a bad thing. What is bad is that at the time of arising differences the individuals concerned do not rise to the occasion

times of conflict is a great Islamic act, and crossing the boundaries at such moments is an un-Islamic act of the worst degree.AUGUST 29 Human EqualityAccording to Islamic tenets, all human beings are

Islam in BriefWhat is Islam? This is a vast subject. In this chapter we shall give a brief account of some of its basic aspects in the light of the Quran and hadith.True GuidanceThe Quran leads us to

intercede with Him but by His permission? He knows what is before men and what is behind them, and they cannot comprehend anything out of His knowledge except what He wills. His knowledge encompasses the heavens

secular extremism, it is because this leads ultimately to violence. Islam, however, is a religion of nature and has always been an upholder of peace. For this reason, violence and extremism have been held

one. For human construction, Islam has played a great role as a result of which human history entered a new phase of progress and development. The time has come today for Islam to play its constructive role

role once again and lead human history into a new phase of progress. What is known as scientific or technical progress is the result of the discovery of nature. This nature has always existed in our world

What has become of us? Earlier we used to fight on a ‘Hindu vs. Muslim’ agenda, while today we fight on a ‘Sunni vs. Shia’ agenda. The slogan of La ilaha illallah was what had created the momentum for

for Pakistan. And it seemed that what had been said in the Hadith regarding the spread of Islam all over the world would become a reality through Pakistan, but this did not happen and the tempo remained

to catch the train that was missed long ago.38.WHAT SHOULD MUSLIMS DO WHEN THEIR COUNTRIES ARE ATTACKED AND THEY END UP FIGHTING FOR REVENGE?Wisdom and Islam both say that planning is done keeping the present

the responsibility to provide a political framework based on the Shariah.52.WHAT ARE THE ISLAMIC DIRECTIVES FOR CLOTHING?Islam has only one direction with regards to clothing: it prohibits nudity. An outfit

avoided. Hijab, in the sense of burqah or veil, is not prescribed in Islam; burqah is in fact a cultural phenomenon seen in Muslim society. Islam supports a simple sense of dressing. According to a verse in the

not preferred in Islam. Islam aims to make its followers modest and humble, and not to have pride in their hearts. Clothing which flaunts the social status of a person is not an Islamic type of clothing

Model World according to Islam is a world of peace. Islam in itself means a religion of peace. The Quran says: And God calls to the home of peace. This is the message of Islam to mankind. It means that

world of peace in your eternal life in the Hereafter’. Now what are the basic elements of building of a culture of peace, according to Islam? To be brief, these are three: compassion, forgiveness and

stress on compassion. For instance, the Prophet of Islam said: O people, be compassionate to others so that you may be granted compassion by God. Thus Islam makes compassion a matter of self-interest for

blasphemous words under duress. The Prophet asked him what the true state of his mind was. Ammar replied that his heart was fully convinced of the truth of Islam. Then the Prophet said: If the idolaters force

may utter them again. (Sunan al- Kubra by Al-Baihaqi, Hadith No. 16896) According to Islam, the Prophet of Islam serves as an example for all humanity. (33:21) In this capacity, it was essential that

power. That was why the Prophet, throughout his life, took into account what in normal circumstances was practicable for people and what was not. He conducted his life, according